MS HB126

Waives tuition, required fees, and housing costs at Mississippi state institutions of higher learning and public community/junior colleges for children of Mississippi service members killed in line of duty or who died from service-connected disabilities as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Establishes eligibility requirements: child must be a Mississippi resident, not have reached 23 years of age on the first day of enrollment (with exceptions for interrupted studies), and provide documentation of the deceased service member's military status and cause of death.

Limits waivers to maximum of 4 annual waivers for full-time students (5 years for programs requiring that length) and restricts part-time students to the length of time needed to complete their degree or certificate program.

Requires students to maintain steady academic progress and a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale for waiver renewal; students with baccalaureate degrees are ineligible, and those with associate degrees may only receive waivers toward a baccalaureate degree.

Designates the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning as the administering agency and requires the legislature to appropriate all necessary funding; if insufficient funds exist, waivers are granted to first-time students on a first-come, first-served basis with priority given to continuing eligible students.